Fluid coupling



8, 940. e. T. JACOCKS v I 2,202,492

FLUID COUPLING Filed Dec. 14, 1937 '2 Sheets-Sheet l v I INVENTOR GeorgeT Jacocks.

. TTORNEY Patented May 28, 1940 UNITED sr r'Es PATENT oFFlcE George T.Jacocks, Larchmont, N."Y., assignor t I The Lummus Company,'New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December-.14, 1337, Serial No.179,653 7 Claims. (Cl. 285-137) This invention relates to improvementsin couplings for high pressure and high, temperature fluid conduits andto an improved formofgasket therefor.

One of the principal objects of thefi'nvention is to provide a separablecoupling. for' a fluid conduit, said coupling being removable from theconduit, and provided with a gasket which simultaneouslyseals the jointand holds the conduit against axial movement. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe joint having an.annular, external gasket which normally fits over the outer diameter ofthe pipe to be sealed, such gasket being forced into a partiallydeformed state against the outer wall as the pipes are coupled, thegasket movement being under a mechanical advantage which gives a greatersealing pressure than the total compression on the coupling.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid tightcoupling for high pressure conduits which is provided with sealinggaskets of frusto-conical shape, which, when compressed,

are adapted todraw the conduit 'ends together and simultaneously sealthem.

A still ,further object of the invention is to provide a fluid conduitcoupling having a plurality 'of cooperating gaskets, each of which ismoved" into a sealing relation with a part of the conduit, with anintermediate guide with which another portion of the gaskets react,thereby relieving the coupling of multiple forces.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a coupling forfluid conduits having an annular gasket of arcuate or kidney shapedcross section which is movable into sealing position by pressure appliedto flatten the arc.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from. thefollowing description of :preferred forms of embodiment thereof, takenin connection with the attached drawings, in

which: 4

Figure 1 is a partial vertical section through a pipe coupling;

coupling being shown in unsealed and sealed position;

Figures 7 and 8 are detailed verticalsections through a still furthermodified form of coupling shown in the unsealed and sealed position; and

Figure 9 is a-partial elevation with parts in section, of a pipecoupling for securing a pipe end to a flanged member. I

It has heretofore been proposed that high pressure pipe couplings beprovided with a frustoconical gasket, as generally described in thepatent. to Wilbur G. Laird, No. 1,825,962, patented Octoberfi, 1931.With such a gasket, extremely high sealingpressures can be obtained byvirtue of the toggle action inasmuch as the scaling force is a reactionat the edges of the gasket and is in excess of the total compressiveforce. The partial rotation of the gasket from the initial angle to thefinal low angle position, due to this force,

willbe sufllcient to take up for any desired clearance conditions.

I have found, however, that greater economy can be obtained in themanufacture of the coupling by, eliminating the usual pipe flangesdescribed in the above patent, as'these flanges are shown in Figures 1and 2, the pipe ends are generally indicated at 10 and II and may beprovided with shallow concentric serrations Illa. Adjacent the ends ofthe pipe, I provide a pair of rings l2 and 13 which correspond to pipeflanges, in that they are relatively thick and are suitably perforatedto receive the securing bolts It. However, these rings 1 2 and l 3differ from pipe flanges in that they are not directly secured to thepipe ends l0 and II, but in. fact. have a substantial clearance so thatthey may be readily slipped over the ends of the pipe. They may be madein any desired manner and need not be made with any high degrees ofaccuracy as would be required with typical pipe flanges'as they are notfluid pressure carrying members.

Intermediate the rings l2 and I3 is provided a third annular memberwhich may be referred to as the guide or reaction ring I5 and it is alsopreferably perforated for the securing bolts II.

This ring may have a larger internal diameter than the outside diameterof the pipes l and II and is providedwith a pair of shoulders la, whichare of rounded nature and cooperate with the gaskets I6 which are of thefrusto-conical type. These gaskets are normally of such a size that withtheir normal angular relation, they are free to slide over the pipe endsIII and H. They are preferably provided with ribs |6a on the pipecontacting edge, which in this form. is the inner edge.

The fluid conduits l0 and II are made pressure tight by the bolts Hwhich, when screwed tight, draw the rings I 2 and I3 together and this,in turn, comprises the gaskets l6. As the outer diameter is restrainedby the shoulders Ilia, the inner diameter becomes of smaller radius andengages the pipe ends. As the compression is continued, the gaskets IEnot only engage the pipe ends I!) and H, but will give them an axialmovement, forcing the pipe ends together and causing an embedment of theribs |6a into the pipe. This prevents axial movement of the pipe endsafter they are brought into abutting contact, and the positive abuttingcontacts prevent erosion of the ends. With such an embedment, internalfluid pressures can be developed up to the capacity of the pipe.

I have found that if the gaskets have an initial angular relation of 30degrees or less, and are compressed to a final position of approximately10 degrees, adequate movement is provided for the desired embedment andovercoming of manufacturing tolerance. It will be obvious, however, thatthe relative angular change and the initial angular position can bevaried within substantial limits and, with low clearances, a greatangular change is unnecessary. A flow of metal into the pipe makes apositive seal and yet the mechanical advantage of sealing the gasketpermits the use of fewer bolts to hold the pipe ends against the axialtendency to move.

The removal of the coupling rings l2 and 3 is readily accomplished bymerely releasing the securing bolts I4 and the gaskets, which are of asufficiently ductile and resilient material, preferably mild steel, willtend to open up and break the joint. Each gasket seals one conduitmember with respect to the intermediate guide ring l5 and a uniformpressure is exerted by each gasket. Only this member l5 needs to becarefully machined with the lowered cost of manufacture. Furthermore,there is no difliculty as to alignment of the bolt holes, the ringsbeing freely movable on the pipe ends.

In Figure 3, a modified form of construction is shown in which the pipeends HI and II are similarly secured by frusto-conical gaskets l6, butin this case the securing members include a pair of mutually telescopicrings and 2|, the smaller of which fits within the larger one. Bothrings are freely vmovable along the pipe ends, with the outer ring 20having a skirt or extension por-' tion 20a which is suitably screwthreaded at intervals to receive the compression screw 22. Only theskirt 20a is provided with the screw thread, and the remainder of thehole has a smoothbore 2| a on the internal member 2| so that relativemovement is possible between the respective rings.

Thescrews 22 are in compression rather than tension in this form, withthe result that temperature changes tend to increase the security of thejoint by causing an expansion of the screws. Furthermore, the reactionof the screw 22 is applied through the relatively thin ledge 2|b so thatthe pressure is direct and less influenced by temperature conditions.The outside diameter of the outer ring 20 may also be smaller than inthe prior form, for by making the abutting surface 2|b large, smallermaximum pressures on the screw .threads are possible with a greaterholding pressure between the rings 20 and 2|.

Any possible seepage of fluid from the interior of the pipes to thegaskets, if found to exist, can be prevented by a form of packinggenerally indicated at 25 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. With the internalring 2| forced into sealing position against the gaskets I6, the packing25 will be compressed as shown in Figure 6 to effectively seal the pipeends l0 and II with respect to the gaskets It. A truncated pyramidalcross section of packing is preferable and with the guide ring I5serving as an external stop, it will be apparent that the packing 25 maybe forced tight between the gaskets I6 and the pipe ends.

A modified form of construction of joint is shown in Figures 7 and 8 inwhich the pipe ends are generally indicated at 3|] and 3|, the outerwalls of which are provided with shallow grooves a. and 3|a. The ringsI2 and I3 are adapted to be drawn together by'bolts l4 as previouslydescribed. The intermediate guide ring 32 is different, however, and isprovided with indented fiat surfaces 32a having gasket receivingshoulders 32b. The projection 320 of the guide ring 32 extends betweenthe ends of the pipes 30 and 3| to establish the closed position of thepipe ends and to center the guide ring for resisting the axial componentof the compression on the gaskets 34.

The gaskets 34 are annular and are of arcuate or kidney shape in crosssection, and the crown of the gaskets is contacted by the coupling ringsI 2 and I3 with the free edge of the gaskets 34 approximately in linewith the grooves 30a. and 3| a in the pipe ends when the pipe ends aretogether. The other edge of the gaskets abut the shoulders 32b on thering 32.

As will appear, from Figure 8, compressing rings l2 and I3, bytightening on bolts l4, tends to flatten out the kidney shaped gaskets34 so that the free ends will engage in a positive and sealing mannerwith the grooves 30a and 3|a in the pipe ends. A substantial mechanicalad vantage is obtained and if the gaskets are relatively thin, althoughof arcuate cross section, excessive compression pressure is unnecessaryto accomplish a high pressure seal. The pipe is also positively heldagainst any axial movement by the gaskets and as thepipe ends areinitially placed in abutting relation, erosion is prevented.

The gaskets 34 may be of uniform cross section and repeated fiexure ispossible without damage to the structure. The seal is accomplished by aflow of metal as the inner diameter is reduced by the compression. Thisis preferable to increasing the outer diameter, although under someconditions, this can also be accomplished, as for example with aninternal gasket.

The kidney shaped gasket 34 preferably operates in one plane and it mayexpand on either or both edges. High sealing pressures are alsoobtainable when the gasket is of generally conical or frusto-conicalform, and in such case, flow of the metal to accomplish the seal is moreeasily accomplished,

My invention is also adapted to the attachment of fluid conduits toflanged fittings as shown in Figure 9. In this structure, the fitting 40has a flange 4| to receive the securing means l4 and the fluid conduitIII is secured to it by the ring l3 and sealed by gasket IS inaccordance with the first form of construction. The gasket I8 isconveniently provided with a ribbed edge and when the parts are drawntogether, the ribs of the gasket will become embedded in the conduit. Ashoulder a in the fitting cooperates with the edge of the gasket and theapplication of pressure on the securing screws l4 causes a rotation ofthe gasket I 6 to draw the pipe end l0 against the fitting 40. Thisfitting may have a recess 40a into which the pipe end may extend topromote stream line flow and prevent erosion.

It will also beunderstood that a single gasket of the kidney shape typecan similarly be provided where a flange fitting is used on one side anda floating ring is used on the other. In such case the parts areinitially brought together with the subsequent compression sealing thejoint and preventing axial movement.

It is to be understood that a pipe as used herein is a generic termconnoting a hollow, usually but notnecessarily cylindrical, shapedmember in which fluids are retained. The joint is commonly between theends of two pipes, but may be equally as well between a pipe and otherfitting, or may be between a cap or closure and the pipe end. Such pipesare commonly of small diameter but ,I am not to be limited to any sizeas a cover for a shell of three feet or more in diameter is equally aswell sealed by'the hereinbefore described gaskets.

While I have shown preferred forms of embodiment of my invention, I amaware that modifications may be made thereto and I therefore desire abroad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of thedescription herein and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A pipe coupling for a plurality of pipes of substantially uniformannular cross section which comprises a plurality of annular ringsslidably and detaohably mounted on the ends of the pipe, a plurality offrusto-conical gaskets, means to move the rings to change the angularrelation of the gaskets, means to resist the external tendency ofmovement of the gaskets, continuous annular ribs on the gaskets toengage the external wall of the pipe ends, said ribs forming a liquidtight seal with the respective pipe ends and moving the pipe endstogether and holding the pipe ends together without deforming theinternal diameter of the pipe ends.

2. The frusto-conical gasket fon a pressure tight joint which in crosssection has a substantially flat body portion, the outer edge portidn ofwhich is -arcuate and the minor inner edge of which is provided withprojecting ribs, said ribs being substantially concentric. continuousand inclined, the inclination of which is opposite to the angularity ofthe gasket.

3. A fluid tight coupling for connecting a pipe to another member whichcomprises a compression ring detachably supported on said pipe, acontinuous gasket having internal ribs normally freely supported on saidpipe, said gasket being between said ring and said second member, meansto draw the ring to the second member to deform the gasket, therebyforcing the ribs into the outer wall of said pipe to make a liquid tightjoint therewith and to resist longitudinal movement of said pipe inshear.

4. A fluid tight coupling for connecting a pipe to another member whichcomprises a compres- I sion ring detachably supported on said pipe, 9.continuous gasket having internal ribs normally freely supported on saidpipe, said gasket being between said ring and said second member, meansto draw the ring to the second member to deform the gasket, therebyforcing the ribs into the outer wall of said pipe to make a liquid tightjoint therewith and to resist longitudinal movemerit of said pipe inshear, said gasket being of frusto-conical shape and normally drawingthe pipe end toward the second member as the gasket is deformed.

5. A coupling to secure, liquid tight, the ends .of tubular elements,which comprises a plurality of frusto-conical ring members inclined withre-- spect to each other and having continuous annular ribs on thesmaller diameter, said ribs being adapted to penetrate the outer wallsof the I tubular elements to make leak-proof'ioints, and means to reducethe angularity between the ring members to cause'such penetration, saidmeans comprising freely movable rings engaging said frusto-conical ringmembers, means to 'draw said freely movable rings together, and means toseal the frusto-conical ring members with respect to each other therebymaking a continuous seal between the respective tubular elements.

6. A coupling as claimed in claim 5, in which said means to draw ringstogether includes a series of compression screws, said screws bein screwthreaded into one of the freely movable rings and in abutting relationwith an adjacent non-threaded portion of the other end.

7. A gasket for forming a fluid tight joint between telescopingcylindrical members, said gasket being a ring of frusto-conical shapehaving continuous annular ribs projecting from its inner edge andforming an extension thereof.

Gnome 'r. JAcocxs.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. Patent No. ,202,192. May 28, 191m.-

GEORGE T. JACOCKS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2,first column, line 114., for the word "comprises" read -.compresses--;page .5, first column, line 57, claim 2, strike out "minor" and secondcolumn, line 1, after "edge" insert -portion-; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September, A. D. 1-9L o.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

